Splash-resistant drinking device

ABSTRACT

A splash-resistant drinking device for use with a lid of a cup. The device includes a stem that insertably engages an outlet opening of the lid. The stem has upper and lower opposed ends, a top opening adjacent the upper end, a bottom opening adjacent the lower end, and a cavity extending between the top and bottom openings. The stem is sized and shaped so as to be insertable into the outlet opening of the lid such that the lower end, and hence the bottom opening, are immersed in liquid contained in the cup. A column of the liquid is contained within the cavity, thereby inhibiting the splashing of the liquid through the outlet opening.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/111,872, filed Nov. 6, 2008, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to splash-resistant drinking devices and, more particularly, to splash-resistant drinking devices for use in conjunction with liquid dispensing cup lids.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Unwanted splashes of liquids that spill out of open tops of drinking cups have long plagued users of such containers. Various lids are available that have a lid opening usually positioned at the edge of the lid (i.e., next to the wall of the cup). The lid opening facilitates the process of drinking liquids contained in the cup without the need to remove the lid from the cup. Such lids are available for disposable hot cups in the form of disposable dome-shape or flat lids, or reusable travel-mug lids. However, lids with lid openings enable liquids to splash out of the opening when the cup is jostled by sudden inadvertent jerking movements. Such movements produce sloshing wave motion on the top surface of the liquid which is more pronounced adjacent to the wall of the container (i.e., adjacent to the drinking hole).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the above-identified problem by providing an easily manufacturable, disposable, splash-resistant, easily attachable device for use with a lid that has an opening. The device facilitates the process of drinking liquids contained in a cup through the opening of the lid while inhibiting liquid splashes from exiting through the opening when the user is not drinking through the opening.

In one embodiment of the invention, the device has a tapered stem which is inserted into a lid opening of a domed-shaped lid. The length of the stem, for example, is approximately two inches long when it is utilized with normal size hot cups. A flanged-shaped lip located at the top of the stem works in coordination with securing means to secure the device in the lid opening. The stem has a hollow column or cavity which is provided with a top opening for drinking liquid therethrough and lateral and bottom openings. Deflecting surfaces located in the cavity are sized and shaped to redirect liquid splashes away from exiting through the top opening of the cavity. A column of liquid, when present in the cavity of the stem, also inhibits splashes from exiting thought the top opening of the cavity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a drinking device according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a conventional domed-shape lid adapted to be removably attached to a cup;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the device shown in FIG. 1 used in conjunction with the lid of FIG. 2 and a conventional cup;

FIGS. 4-7 are schematic cross-sectional views illustrating the flow of liquid from the cup to the device of FIG. 1 during use;

FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of a drinking device according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view, taken along section-line 9-9 and looking in the direction of the arrows, of the device shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of a drinking device according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view, taken along section-line 11-11 and looking in the direction of the arrows, of the device shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a top perspective view of a drinking device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a conventional flat lid; and

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 12 used in conjunction with the lid of FIG. 13.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a device 10 constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. The device 10 is adapted for use in conjunction with many different types of conventional cup lids for restricting splashing of liquid through their openings which are used for drinking liquid. By way of example, FIG. 2 illustrates a dome-shaped lid 12 having a conventional construction. For instance, the lid 12 has a periphery 14 that is adapted to be removably fitted onto a rim 16 of a conventional liquid container or cup 18 in order to secure the lid 12 to the cup 18 (see FIGS. 2 and 3). Positioned within the periphery 14 is a raised structure or dome 20, which has a substantially planar top surface 22. The lid 12 also includes an interior chamber 23 positioned under the dome 20. A lid opening 24, which is defined by an edge 26, is positioned in the top surface 22 proximate the periphery 14 for allowing passage of liquid therethrough. A depressed area or recess 28 is positioned in the top surface 22 of the dome 20 proximate the lid opening 24.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 3, the device 10 is provided with a stem 30 having an upper end 32, a lower end 34 and a hollow column or cavity 36 extending therebetween. The stem 30 is optionally tapered such that its circumference is slightly larger at the upper end 32 than at the lower end 34. A flange-shaped lip 38 extends radially outwardly from the upper end 32 and has a lower surface 40. The stem 30 also has a top opening 42 at the upper end 32 for allowing liquids to flow therethrough from the cavity 36. The top opening 42 has substantially the same size and shape as the opening 24 of the lid 12. The stem 30 also has a lateral opening 44, which is located intermediate the upper and lower ends 32, 34, and a bottom opening 46, which is located at the lower end 34. A deflector 48 protrudes inwardly from the stem 30 into the cavity 36 for surrounding the lateral opening 44. The deflector 48 is sized and shaped so as to redirect liquid splashes that enter the cavity 36 through the lateral opening 44 and/or the bottom opening 46 in a downwardly direction away from the top opening 42 without significantly restricting the flow of liquids through the cavity 36. More particularly, the deflector 48 has a primary surface 50, connected to a top perimeter 52 of the lateral opening 44 and extending downwardly and inwardly into the cavity 36. The deflector 48 also has a pair of triangularly shaped lateral surfaces 54 a, 54 b extending between the primary surface 50 and side perimeters 56 a, 56 b, respectively, of the lateral opening 44.

Referring specifically to FIG. 3, the device 10 is shown positioned fully inserted in the lid opening 24 of the lid 12, and the lid 12 is shown securely positioned on the rim 16 of the cup 18. More particularly, the device 10 is inserted in the lid opening 24 of the lid 12 such that the lower surface 40 of the lip 38 is substantially flush (i.e., in contact with), or placed adjacent, the top surface 22 of the lid 12. In this position, a small gap 58 may exist between the lower surface 40 of the lip 38 and the top surface 22 of the lid 12. Optional mechanisms for inhibiting liquid leakage through the gap 58 are described below.

The exterior surface of the stem 30 adjacent the upper end 32 of the device 10 can be made to have substantially the same configuration and shape as the edge 26 of the lid opening 24, but to have a size (e.g., a diameter) slightly larger than that of the lid opening 24. As a result, when the stem 30 is fully inserted in the lid opening 24, the device 10 can remain securely in place in the lid opening 24 by virtue of compressive forces exerted by the stem 30 against the edge 26 of the lid opening 24 and vice versa. Due to the frictional engagement between the stem 30 and the edge 26 of the lid opening 24, liquid in the container 18 is inhibited from seeping out through the gap 58 that may be formed between the lower surface 40 of the lip 38 and the top surface 22 of the lid 12. The size and shape of the stem 30 may vary depending on the size and shape of the lid opening 24 and/or the lid 12.

The device 10 can be further secured in the lid opening 24 by optionally providing securing mechanisms, such as one or more stopper-cleats 60 or a protruding ring (not shown) positioned on the exterior surface of the stem 30 adjacent the upper end 32. By adjusting the relative size of the cleats 60, a desired force required to remove the device 10 from the lid opening 24 can be established so that the device 10 can be easily removed from the lid opening 24 for possible reuse.

The size and the shape of the lip 38 may vary according to the shape and size of the lid opening 24 and/or the strength of the lid material. For instance, the lid opening 24 may be provided with a funnel-shaped rim (not shown) surrounding and extending below edge 26. In such circumstances, the device 10 may be fabricated without the lip 38 because the stem 30 may be secured and sealed in the lid opening 24 by the compressive forces that are exerted against the rim of the lid opening 24 by the stem 30. The device 10 and lid 12 may be fabricated from plastic (or any other suitable material) and formed by injection molding or other conventional processes that are suitable for forming the structural characteristics described herein.

Referring back to FIG. 3, the bottom opening 46 of the device 10 allows liquid to flow into the cavity 36 and may be provided with different sizes and shapes. The shape and location of the lateral opening 44 and the deflector 48 can also vary. For instance, the deflector 48 can be in the form of an arcuate or curvilinear downwardly facing surface (not shown). Additional lateral openings may also be provided. For instance, two or more lateral openings, each having an associated interiorly facing deflector, may be provided so as to effectively block substantially all upwardly moving splashes of liquid from exiting through the top opening 42 of the device 10.

In use, the device 10 may be inserted in the lid 12 by first inserting the lower end 34 of the stem 30 into the lid opening 24. The lip 38 is then depressed until the lower surface 40 of the lip 38 is flush with the top surface 22 of the lid 12 and the cleats 60 of the stem 30 “click” securely around the edge 26 of the lid opening 24. The user then place his/her lips on the top surface 22 of the lid 12 and consumes (i.e., drinks) liquid through the top opening 42 of the device 10. The device 10 may be removed (e.g., for reuse at a later time) from the lid 12 in a manner that is the reverse of that described for its insertion.

FIG. 4 illustrates the container 18 shown full of liquid with the lid 12 attached. The device 10 is inserted in the lid 12 such that the bottom opening 46 is immersed in the liquid and such that a column of liquid 62 is located in the cavity 36 of the stem 30. The column of liquid 62 is substantially separated from the rest of the body of liquid in the container 18 by the wall structure of the stem 30 and is therefore substantially isolated from the momentum created by the movement of the liquid outside the cavity 36 of the stem 30, thereby inhibiting splashes within the cavity 36. Splashes of liquid entering the cavity 36 through the lateral opening 44 from the exterior of the cavity 36 are deflected by the deflector 48 in a downward direction (see arrow A), thereby inhibiting such splashes from exiting through the top opening 42 of the stem 30. Moreover, due to the minimal surface area of the column of liquid 62, the size of splashes emanating therefrom are minimal and thereby precluded from exiting through the top opening 42 of the device 10.

When the container 18 shown in FIG. 4 is tilted by a user to drink the liquid contained therein (see FIG. 5), liquid flows through the lateral and bottom openings 44, 46 (as indicated by arrows B and C, respectively, in FIG. 5) into the cavity 36 of the stem 30 and eventually out of the container 18 through the top opening 42. Due to the provision of the lateral opening 44, the device 10 can still be used even if a small amount of liquid remains in the container 18. More particularly, with reference to FIG. 6, when only a small amount of liquid remains in the container 18, liquid flows through the lateral opening 44 into the cavity 36 of the stem 30 (see arrow D) even though no liquid flows into the cavity 36 through the bottom opening 46. Because the lateral opening 44 is positioned proximate the top opening 42 of the cavity 36, the lateral opening 44 allows the remaining liquid to flow into the cavity 36 and eventually through the top opening 42. Hence, the closer the lateral opening 44 is positioned to the top opening 42, the less liquid is left in the container 18.

FIG. 7 illustrates the device 10 positioned in the container 18 partially full of liquid and in which no column of liquid 62 is present in the cavity 36. In this instance, splashes entering the cavity 36 through the bottom opening 46 (as indicated by arrow E in FIG. 7) are redirected back into the liquid container 18 through the lateral opening 44 (as indicated by arrow F) via the deflector 48. Since it is possible that some of the splashes could exit through the top opening 42 (as indicated by arrow G), splashes of this type may be blocked from exiting the top opening 42 by provisioning the device 10 with additional lateral openings and/or associated deflectors (not shown) positioned opposite to and below or above the lateral opening 44.

Still referring to FIGS. 3-7, when the liquid inside the cup 18 is hot, there is an associated increase in the air pressure within the interior chamber 23 of the lid 12. The build-up of air pressure can adversely affect the operation of the device 10. This situation can be alleviated by forming one or more air holes (not illustrated) in the top surface 22 of the dome 20 of the lid 12. The excess air pressure within the interior chamber 23 will escape through the air holes in the top surface 22. The air holes can also receive liquid that spills onto the top surface 22 of the dome 20 and convey such liquid back into the cup 18.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, a second embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The elements illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 which correspond, in structure and/or function, to the elements described above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3 have been designated by corresponding reference numerals increased by one hundred. The embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 operates and is constructed in a manner consistent with the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, unless otherwise indicated.

With further reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, a device 100 is provided with a tapered stem 130 having an upper end 132 and a lower end 134, and a cavity 136 extending therebetween. A solid bottom 164 is located at the lower end 134 of the stem 130. A flange-shaped lip 138 extends radially outwardly from the upper end 132 and has a lower surface 140 for the purposes described hereinabove in relation to FIG. 3. The stem 130 has a top opening 142 that is located at the upper end 132 for allowing liquids to flow therethrough. The stem 130 also has an upper lateral opening 144 located at or adjacent the upper end 132. A deflector 148 surrounds the lateral opening 144 and protrudes inwardly therefrom into the cavity 136 for the purposes described hereinabove in connection with the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-7. A lower lateral opening 166 is positioned directly below the upper lateral opening 144 and the deflector 148. As a result, splashes that enter the lower lateral opening 166 traveling towards the top opening 142 are redirected away therefrom by the deflector 148, thereby reducing splashing.

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, a third embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The elements illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11 which correspond, in structure and/or function, to the elements described above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3 have been designated by corresponding reference numerals increased by two hundred. The embodiment shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 operates and is constructed in a manner consistent with the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, unless otherwise indicated.

With further reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, a device 200 is provided with a tapered stem 230 having an upper end 232 and a lower end 234, and a cavity 236 extending therebetween. A flange-shaped lip 238 extends radially outwardly from the upper end 232 and has a lower surface 240 for the purposes described hereinabove in relation to FIG. 3. The stem 230 has a top opening 242 located adjacent the upper end 232 for allowing liquids to flow therethrough. The stem 230 also has a lateral opening 244 located adjacent the upper end 232, and an offset bottom opening 268 located at the lower end 234. A deflector 248 surrounds the lateral opening 244 and protrudes inwardly therefrom into the cavity 236 for the purposes described hereinabove in connection with the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-7. The offset bottom opening 268 is positioned below the lateral opening 244 and hence the deflector 248. As a result, splashes that enter the offset bottom opening 268 that travel towards the top opening 242 are redirected away therefrom by the deflector 248, thereby reducing splashes.

Referring to FIGS. 12 and 14, a fourth embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The elements illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 14 which correspond, in structure and/or function, to the elements described above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3 have been designated by corresponding reference numerals increased by three hundred. The embodiment shown in FIGS. 12 and 14 operates and is constructed in a manner consistent with the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, unless otherwise indicated.

FIGS. 12 and 14 illustrate a device 300 adapted for use with a conventional flat lid 312 (see FIG. 13). The device 300 is provided with a tapered stem 330 and a flange-shaped lip 338 having an opening 342. The device 300 is identical to the first embodiment described hereinabove (i.e., the device 10 which is illustrated in FIGS. 1-7), except for the addition of a mouth piece or spout 364 which is attached to the lip 338. More particularly, the spout 364 has an orifice 366 and a channel 368 which extends therebetween the opening 342 of the lip 338 and the orifice 366. The channel 368 guides the flow of liquid (i.e., exiting the opening 342 of the stem 330) through the spout 364 and out the orifice 366.

In use, the processes for the insertion and removal of the device 300 are the same as those for the device 10 described hereinabove. However, in using the device 300, the user places his/her lips around the spout 364 for drinking liquid therethrough.

It should be noted that the present invention can have numerous modifications and variations. For instance, the device may be integrated with the lid and fabricated as one unit.

While a number of embodiments of the present invention have been described, it is understood that these embodiments are illustrative only, and not restrictive, and that many modifications and/or alternative embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Therefore, it will be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and embodiments that come within the spirit and scope of the present invention. 

1. A splash-resistant device for a lid of a cup containing liquid therein, comprising a stem having upper and lower opposed ends, a top opening adjacent said upper end, a bottom opening adjacent said lower end, and a cavity extending between said top and bottom openings, said stem being sized and shaped so as to be insertable into an outlet opening of the lid of the cup such that when the cup is tilted, the liquid can flow through said cavity of said stem and through the outlet opening to flow outside of the cup, said stem having a length such that when said stem is positioned through the outlet opening of the lid, said lower end and hence said bottom opening are immersed in the liquid, and such that a column of the liquid is contained within said cavity of said stem, whereby the column of the liquid within said cavity inhibits the splashing of the liquid through the outlet opening.
 2. The splash-resistant device of claim 1, wherein said stem includes at least one lateral opening positioned at a location intermediate said upper and lower opposed ends.
 3. The splash-resistant device of claim 2, wherein said at least one lateral opening is positioned proximate said top opening.
 4. The splash-resistant device of claim 2, further comprising at least one deflector proximate said at least one lateral opening, said at least one deflector protruding at least partially into said cavity, and said at least one deflector being sized and shaped so as to redirect the liquid flowing into said cavity to flow in a direction away from said top opening.
 5. The splash-resistant device of claim 4, wherein said at least one deflector surrounds said at least one lateral opening.
 6. The splash-resistant device of claim 4, wherein said at least one lateral opening includes an upper lateral opening positioned proximate said top opening, and said bottom opening is positioned directly below said upper lateral opening so as to form a lower lateral opening in said stem.
 7. The splash-resistant device of claim 4, wherein said bottom opening is offset, and said bottom opening is positioned directly below said lateral opening.
 8. The splash-resistant device of claim 1, further comprising a spout which engages said upper end of said stem, said spout including an orifice and a channel which extends between said orifice and said top opening of said stem.
 9. The splash-resistant device of claim 1, wherein said stem is tapered such that said upper end has a first circumference and said lower end has a second circumference that is less than said first circumference.
 10. The splash-resistant device of claim 1, wherein said stem includes a flange-shaped lip extending radially outward from said upper end of said stem, said lip having a lower surface that engages a top surface of the lid of the cup.
 11. In combination, a cup for containing liquid therein, said cup having a lid with an outlet opening formed therein, and a splash-resistant device including a stem, said stem having upper and lower opposed ends, a top opening adjacent said upper end, a bottom opening adjacent said lower end, and a cavity extending between said top and bottom openings, said stem being sized and shaped so as to be insertable into said outlet opening of said lid of said cup such that when said cup is tilted, the liquid can flow through said cavity of said stem and through said outlet opening to flow outside of said cup, said stem having a length such that when said stem is positioned through said outlet opening of said lid, said lower end and hence said bottom opening are immersed in the liquid, and such that a column of the liquid is contained within said cavity of said stem, whereby the column of the liquid within said cavity inhibits the splashing of the liquid through said outlet opening. 